Village in Friesland, Netherlands
Raerd (Dutch: Rauwerd) is a village in Súdwest-Fryslân municipality in the province Friesland, the Netherlands. It had a population of around 630 in January 2017.[3]
History
The village was first mentioned in the 13th century as Rawertham, and means "terp covered in reed".[4] In the 11th or 12th century, a dike was built along the Moezel [nl] river.[4] Raerd is a terp (artificial living hill) village with a radial structure dating from the early middle ages.[5] The village was located near the former Middelzee.[6]
The Dutch Reformed church was built in 1814 as a replacement of its medieval predecessor.[5] When the stins Jongema State was built is unknown, but it was destroyed in 1515 by Saxon mercenaries, however the gate house remains. A 19th century villa is located at the former stins, but it is still surrounded by a double moat.[7] The forest around the estate are currently owned by It Fryske Gea [nl] and is a park with a large colony of rooks and herons.[6] The park has limited access during breeding season.[8]
Raerd was home to 549 people in 1840.[8] Before 2011, the village was part of the Boarnsterhim municipality and before 1984 it was the seat of Rauwerdhem municipality.[8]
Gallery
References
External links
Media related to Raerd at Wikimedia Commons